5 takeaways from Iowa Football’s offensive spring depth chart reveal

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Spring is here. For some, that may be the start of baseball season. For us, though, it is just another step closer to the game we all love: football.

Iowa released its first depth chart of the season in preparation for spring. Now, while Kirk Ferentz will always admit that the depth chart is more of a suggestion than an ironclad code, it gives us our first look inside the minds of the coaching staff. We can see which players they are high on and who can possibly rise to the occasion and fill some holes on this team.

Speaking of holes, today we’re talking about the offense. It was bad last year. We all know that, and we’ve spent months upon months talking about just how bad it was. Whether it is Brian Ferentz’s fault, the players’ fault, or a combination of both, that no longer matters. What we care about now is a hopefully better future. That starts with more points on the board.

Who are the players who will hopefully be putting the ball in the end zone more, though? Here is a closer look at the first released depth chart of the spring season with five key takeaways.

Cade McNamara is QB1

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

This should come as no surprise. Cade McNamara did not transfer from Michigan to ride the bench and hold Joey Labas’ clipboard this year. He brings starting experience from one of the top teams in the nation and hopefully can provide some stability to a position that has been highly shaky for Iowa. McNamara passed for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns during the 2021 season.

Kaleb Johnson is Starting Running Back

Noe Padilla/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another expected one here, but it’s excellent to see Kaleb Johnson given the starting job to lose heading into spring ball. Leshon Williams may have the edge in experience being one year older, but Iowa has a potentially very special rusher in Kaleb Johnson. The 6-foot, 212 pound sophomore rushed 151 times for 779 yards and six scores last season. Williams carried 117 times for 413 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Luke Lachey Gets the Start at Tight End

(Photo by Carly Mackler/Getty Images)

I don’t think this one is much of a surprise either and it doesn’t really tell the whole story. Returning tight end Luke Lachey is listed as the starter, and more than likely deserves to be so after a really promising campaign last year, but it won’t be that simple. Iowa will likely run multiple tight ends as usual, so you’ll still see plenty of Michigan transfer Erick All on the field, too.

Lachey finished the 2022 season with 398 yards on 28 grabs with four touchdowns. Meanwhile, in 2021, All registered 38 catches for 437 yards with two scores.

Diante Vines Gets First Shot at Wide Receiver

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wide receiver is going to be a massive question mark this year. Returning junior Diante Vines has an opportunity this spring to make a great early impression. We won’t see the incoming freshmen yet, and we already know what we are getting from Nico Ragaini. Spring ball is the perfect opportunity for Vines to stake an early claim to Iowa’s desperately needed No. 1 wide receiver slot. Vines has appeared in 12 games during his Hawkeye career and had 10 receptions for 94 yards last season.

The Offensive Line Has a Bit More Experience? Also, it's fluid

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

The offensive line is largely the same unit as last year, and that’s either a good or bad thing depending on your own opinion. What that means though is that Iowa’s line is more experienced heading into this season with all of these guys getting starting experience under their belts. They know what the standard of Big Ten football is and what they have to rise to this year.

Between the current projected starting five, there’s a grand total of 89 career starts. During the 2022 season, Mason Richman, Connor Colby and Logan Jones started all 13 games. Beau Stephens and Nick Dejong started 10 and six games, respectively.

This depth chart will be subject to change, too. Saginaw Valley State transfer Daijon Parker is currently listed behind Nick DeJong at right tackle. There’s an opportunity for him to ascend as the spring and fall rolls along.

Also, Miami (Ohio) transfer Rusty Feth arrives in June. The 6-foot-5, 305 pound offensive lineman has started 34 games in his career, including the past 25 at center. His other nine starts came at guard.

At the very least, that’s another name to toss into the mix along the interior of Iowa’s offensive line. Iowa seems high on Logan Jones at center, but Feth as a replacement is a possibility. If not there, then his starting experience means Connor Colby, Tyler Elsbury, Beau Stephens and Gennings Dunker should also be on alert at left and right guard.

Obviously, it has to be much, much better than 94.9 rushing yards per game, which ranked 124th nationally. Iowa finished tied-105th in sacks allowed as well.

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire